France: a lawyer's view on female circumcision performed among immigrants.

ABSTRACT

PIP Everyone agrees that female circumcision should not be done. Africans, however, have imported this custom to France. African parents who circumcise their children in France have been brought to court, since this is against the French Penal Code. People are shocked to see these parents being prosecuted, because, they are only following their cultural traditions. Innocent children must be defended against this cruel tradition. In 2 recent cases, the Criminal Court imposed sentences of 3 years imprisonment, suspended. In the future, penalties will probably be more severe. The Paris-based Group for the Abolition of Sexual Mutilation, which is affiliated with the Inter-African Committee, does information and sensitization work against female circumcision among French immigrants.^ieng